ADVENTURES WITH NATURE Sarapiqui – Arenal Volcano – Monteverde Cloud Forest – Central Pacific Coast 10 Days / 9 Nights
Day 1 Upon your arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica, a representative of Costa Rica Sun Tours will meet you at the airport, present you with land portion vouchers and transfer you to your hotel
Day 1-2 1 nights accommodation in San Jose at Hotel Grano de Oro (standard room) or similar Hotel Grano de Oro is a converted Victorian mansion and maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home while offering the amenities of a fine hotel. The restaurant at the hotel is one of San José's finest. It is located on a quiet street close to the city center, near restaurants, theaters and shops
Day 2 Morning pick-up at your hotel for a scenic drive with a group and driver/guide via the Braulio Carrillo National Park to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. Arrive at the 1560-hectare research station and biological reserve of the Organization for Tropical Studies (O.T.S.) at La Selva, entrance fees included. In this reserve, more than 450 species of trees, 400 species of birds, 113 species of mammals, 81 species of reptiles, & 48 species of amphibians have been identified. With your group, driver/guide and a local guide roam the 15-km of trails through primary and secondary forest, and its arboretum. After lunch continue on to your hotel in Sarapiqui (L)
Day 2-3 1 nights accommodation in La Virgen de Sarapiquí at Centro Neotrópico SarapiquíS (standard room) (B.D) or similar Centro Neotrópico SarapiquíS is a lodge designed in pre-Columbian style with 24 rooms and a restaurant overlooking the Sarapiquí River and the Tirimbina rainforest. The Centro includes a museum of rainforest ecology and pre-Columbian culture, an archaeological park, a rainforest reserve and botanical garden.
Day 3 Early morning hike with your group and driver/guide in the Tirimbina Nature Reserve, entrance fees included. Across a footbridge that connects the Neoptropica Sarapiquis Museum to the 20-acre lush, green island in the middle of the great Sarapiqui River, and the Tirimbina Nature Reserve. The island offers an easily navigated introduction to a tropical forest ecosystem and the river itself is a rich and vital corridor for tropical wildlife. Along the trails of the Reserve are great wildlife watching and viewing highlights of rainforest biodiversity. After the hike depart with your group and driver/guide for your hotel in Arenal
Day 3-5 2 nights accommodation in Arenal at the Arenal Observatory Lodge (Smithsonian volcano view room) (2B.2D) The Arenal Observatory Lodge is located within the Arenal National Park, and offers spectacular views of the volcano's imposing profile and Lake Arenal. The property encompasses acres of untouched rainforest, and is home to hundreds of species of birds and wildlife.
Day 4 Visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges this morning with your group and driver/guide, entrance fees included. The Hanging Bridges are a complex of 6 suspension bridges above the jungle canopy and almost 2 miles of brick & concrete trails through the lush rain forest. Late afternoon enjoy the Eco-Termales Hot Springs, entrance fees included
Day 5 Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park this morning with your group and driver/guide, entrance fees included. This is an opportunity for a close-up exploration of recent lava flows that left a 50 ft deep path of lava thru the rainforest. Afternoon pick-up at your hotel and transfer to the lake shore for the boat ride across Lake Arenal to Rio Chiquito. From Rio Chiquito you will be picked up for an overland transfer to your Monteverde hotel. You will meet up with your driver/guide in Monteverde. Please be aware that strong winds or heavy rains can make for a rough, bumpy, & wet boat ride. The lake crossing takes 2-3 hours less than driving all the way around Lake Arenal
Day 5-7 2 nights accommodations in Monteverde at Hotel Fonda Vela (junior suite) (2B.2D) or similar The Hotel Fonda Vela is an attractive eco-tourism lodge in a tranquil setting of 35 acres. All rooms were designed with natural lighting, privacy and warmth in mind. The hotel also has an elegant restaurant.
Day 6 Visit the Monteverde Skywalk this morning with your group and driver/guide, entrance fees included. The Skywalk is a complex of suspended bridges, platforms and paths, built within the cloud forest of Monteverde. These allow the observation of flora and fauna from ground level to the top of the trees. There are 3,280 feet of paths including five suspended bridges. In the afternoon enjoy a guided walk through the Monteverde Reserve with your group and driver/guide, entrance fees included. Monteverde Reserve is best known as home to the Resplendent Quetzal but has hundreds of other birds, mammals and plant species.
Day 7 Morning pick up at your hotel for a semi private overland transfer to your hotel near the Central Pacific Coast (approx a 4 hour drive)
Day 7-9 2 nights accommodations in Jaco at Club Del Mar (deluxe room) or similar Club Del Mar Hotel is located on the Pacific coast, surrounded by mature gardens at the south end of Jaco Beach. Located just steps from the surf is a tropical swimming pool with a social area that is surrounded by Costa Rican flora and fauna and a separate pool for children and grandchildren Day 8 Free Day to enjoy the beach
Day 9 Pick up at your hotel for a guided tour of the Carara National Park, entrance fees included. The Carara has a transitional climate and contains flora and fauna from both the hot dry northwest, and the rainy region of the southwest. It is home to parrots, parakeets, toucan, trogons, three species of monkeys, Scarlet Macaws, and the rare American Crocodile. After the tour, depart for your San José hotel (approx a 2 hour drive)
Day 9-10 1 nights accommodation in Santo Domingo at Hotel Bougainvillea (standard room) or similar The Hotel Bougainvillea is a family owned and operated inn with 80 tastefully decorated rooms set in 12 acres of beautiful gardens. The restaurant offers continental cuisine in a wonderful dining room. Guests can stroll in the gardens, swim in the heated pool, enjoy a sauna or use the tennis courts
Day 10 Pick-up at your hotel for a departure transfer to the International Airport in San Jose to check in 3 hours before your scheduled flight time
Meal Codes (B)=Breakfast (CB)=Continental Breakfast (L)=Lunch (D)=Dinner |
